Program Overview

Program Overview

Economists are experts at predicting human behavior and using data to analyze the choices we make. In this major, you'll ask how individuals decide what to buy and explore the role of government policy on society.

Program Snapshot

• Program Type: Full-Time
• Location: On Campus
• Program Length: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 21 - 37

Why This Program & What You'll Learn

At its core, economics asks how people make the most of limited resources.

• How do individuals make the most of their income?
• How can businesses make efficient use of labor and materials to stay competitive?
• How can governments use policy to influence the national economy?

Economics studies human behavior and is a social sciencebut one that relies heavily on math and statistics. Because problem solving is such an integral part of economics, you'll become proficient in these areas.

As an econ student pursuing a B.A. or B.S., your schedule offers the flexibility for you to study a wide range of other topics. Combining an economics degree with the liberal arts opens many career choices. Because economics touches on societal issues, such as poverty and gender, many students go on to careers in public service or law. Others concentrate on decision-making inside a business.

No matter which direction you go, you'll develop problem-solving skills that may lead to a wide range of careers.

Program Highlights

As an econ major, you will:

• Learn with active scholars: CMU's economics faculty has published in dozens of international journals.
• Start working on your graduate studies through the Accelerated MA Program, in which you can complete your master's just one year after graduating.
• Discover the problem-solving and communication skills that improve decision-making and how decisions affect people.

Careers & Outcomes

Grads of our economics program work in banking, energy, non-profit organizations and a wide range of other industriesexactly what you'd expect from this flexible major.

• Career: Operations Analyst, Projected Salary: $95,600
• Career: Economist, Projected Salary: $115,440
• Career: Investment/Portfolio Analyst, Projected Salary: $112,950
• Career: Data Scientist, Projected Salary: $112,590
• Career: Financial and Investment Analyst, Projected Salary: $101,910

Application Deadlines

• Fall: Rolling
• Priority Consideration for Scholarships: Dec. 1

Start Dates

• Main Campus:
  • Spring 2026: January 12
  • Fall 2026: August 21

Related Programs

• Law and Economics
• General Management